The Organ Podcast

Episode 20 - Donald MacKenzie plays the 5 manual Compton at the Odeon Leicester Square - Gordon Stewart looks back on his 50 year career

Donald MacKenzie showcases the historic Compton organ at the Odeon cinema in London's Leicester Square. As one of Europe's leading theatre organists and accompanist of silent films, Donald demonstrates the art of film improvisation and brings to life the history and rich tradition of the cinema organ. Donald MacKenzie [http://www.donaldmackenzie.org.uk/] Odeon Organ Specification - NPOR [https://npor.org.uk/survey/N18252] The Musical Museum Brentford [https://www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/] Gordon Stewart looks back on his long career as an international recitalist, conductor, broadcaster, town hall performer, teacher, and his continuing fascination with the music of Bach. Gordon Stewart [https://www.gordonstewart.org/] https://www.rco.org.uk/ [https://www.rco.org.uk/]

Episode 19 - Completing Bach's Orgelbüchlein with William Whitehead & Rediscovering Victorian organs with Tom Bell

William Whitehead talks about his major international project aimed at completing Bach's Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book) - The Orgelbüchlein Project [https://orgelbuechlein.co.uk/]. With 118 missing chorale preludes, where only the chorale titles have been penned by Bach, William plays examples of the newly finished compositions which he has commissioned from leading composers all over the world. Orgelbüchlein Volumes & Scores [https://orgelbuechlein.co.uk/purchase-scores] William Whitehead [https://www.william-whitehead.com/] Tom Bells reveals his passion for English Victorian organs as he demonstrates the art of registering 19th century repertoire on the historic 1864 Henry Willis organ at Reading Town Hall. Henry Willis Organ at Reading Town Hall [https://www.readingmuseum.org.uk/blog/%E2%80%98father%E2%80%99-willis-organ-reading-town-hall] Organ specification (NPOR) [https://npor.org.uk/survey/N09839] Tom Bell [https://www.tombell-organist.net/about] Get in touch with the Organ Podcast theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk [theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk] https://www.rco.org.uk/ [https://www.rco.org.uk/]

Episode 18 - The Organ Reform Movement - what was it all about? Ben Bloor reflects on the pros and cons of using social media to promote the organ and engage with audiences

William McVicker talks about the impact and legacy of one of the most significant revolutions in organ design - the Organ Reform Movement. Explaining the historical context out of which the movement grew (lead by German polymath and organist, Albert Schweitzer), William demonstrates the musical results at the console of a 1968 German-inspired reform organ at the church of Our Lady of Dolours, in London. William McVicker [https://www.aioa.org.uk/advisers/mcVicker.php] Organ of Our Lady of Dolours (NPOR) [https://npor.org.uk/survey/N08874] Ben Bloor, Organist at the London Oratory, shares his experience of using social media platforms to engage with audiences and promote organ music. With over 350 videos on YouTube, an organ podcast, and a variety of short-form videos, Ben reflects on how the growing trend of organists uploading their content to social media platforms can have a wider cultural impact in changing attitudes towards performers and repertoire. Ben Bloor [https://www.benbloor.com/] Ben's YouTube channel [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHe-mJ0Z8SQQJDoSOhJdNnQ] Get in touch with the Organ Podcast theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk [theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk] https://www.rco.org.uk/ [https://www.rco.org.uk/]

Episode 17 - Liverpool Cathedral's new Echo division with Ian Tracey - St Paul's Cathedral's Organ Education Lead Jeremiah Stephenson on how to encourage children to engage with the organ

In this episode Ian Tracey, Organist of Liverpool Cathedral, demonstrates the newly installed Echo organ and showcases the extraordinary sounds and power of the UK's largest pipe organ. With a total of ten divisions, located in organ cases around the cathedral, this new echo organ completes the tonal design of the organ, which began in 1923 under the craftsmanship of Henry Willis III, and the cathedral's first organist, Harry Goss-Custard. Liverpool Cathedral Organ [https://liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/cathedral-music/organ/#:~:text=Henry%20Willis%20began%20the%20construction,on%2018th%20October%20that%20year.] Specification [https://liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/liverpool-cathedral-grand-organ-specification.pdf] Jeremiah Stephenson, Organ Education Lead at St Paul's Cathedral, talks about his work devising events and workshops designed to introduce children to the organ. Challenging traditionally held attitudes, he explains how he presents the organ as a gateway to engage children in the wider appreciation of classical music and performance. Jeremiahstephenson.com [https://jeremiahstephenson.com/] Get in touch with the Organ Podcast theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk [theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk] https://www.rco.org.uk/ [https://www.rco.org.uk/]

Episode 16 - Manchester Cathedral’s Tickell Organ - New discoveries in Cesar Franck’s music

In this episode, Richard Brasier talks about some of the startling discoveries he made whilst researching for his new edition of the organ and harmonium works of Cesar Franck. He also plays an unpublished work by Franck for the first time. After five years' work, having studied previously lost manuscripts, Richard explains the approach to registration and performance based on historic evidence and the organs Franck played. https://richardbrasier.com/education/cesar-franck/ [https://richardbrasier.com/education/cesar-franck/] Christopher Stokes, Organist and Master of the Choristers at Manchester Cathedral, talks about his design and planning of the Tickell organ that was installed in the cathedral in 2016. Demonstrating some of the sounds and colours of the new instrument, Chris explains how a cathedral organ designed principally for repertoire will then naturally be able to excel in accompanying the choir. https://manchestercathedral.org/worship/cathedral-organs [https://manchestercathedral.org/worship/cathedral-organs] https://npor.org.uk/survey/H01013 [https://npor.org.uk/survey/H01013] Get in touch! theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk [theorganpodcast@rco.org.uk] https://www.rco.org.uk/ [https://www.rco.org.uk/]